Holidays a little brighter with AWB’s Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree
This Christmas season will be tough. People are worried about their jobs and homes.Food banks and charities are struggling to meet growing needs. But there is a bright spot: the AWB Capitol Holiday Kids’ Tree at the state Capitol Campus.The state’s Christmas tree, a stately 25-foot NobleFir provided by Port Blakely Tree Farms, arrived today and will be installed in the Rotunda for all citizens to enjoy. While the tree is the most visible symbol of this effort, the real joy is in the hundreds of families supported through donations from AWB members. These contributions provide rural firefighters with money to buy gifts and food for needy families. AWB members also contribute funds to help cover the cost of the tree decorations. Amazingly, this year’s donations have not only exceededexpectations, they’ve even topped what’s been received in better economic times. Still, we need more. For information on making donations, contact AWB’s Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 and be sure to join us at the Capitol Rotunda at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, for the official tree-lighting ceremony with Gov. Chris Gregoire. It’s a great event for families and Santa will even be there! Read more on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


Governor orders additional $260 million in emergency cuts
The Seattle Times reports that Gov. Gregoire has ordered another $260 million in emergency spending cuts in response to a drop in state tax collections. This is in addition to $330 million in cuts already planned for the 2009 state fiscal year. “Families and businesses across the state are making sacrifices to weather the economic crisis, and state government will have to make sacrifices, too,” Gregoire said. 


PODCAST: Learn about the budget and the manufacturing and equipment sales tax exemption
As AWB prepares for a difficult legislative session, we are launching a series of podcasts to explore key issues that are vital to our members.Two of the biggest issues for us in 2009 will be the budget and the manufacturing sales and use tax exemption. In our segment on the budget, WashACE Coordinator Richard S. Davis and AWB President Don Brunell explore the options facing legislators and the governor this January. In the second podcast, Brunell underscores the value of the manufacturing sales and use tax incentive to help manufacturers of all sizes in Washington modernize and expand to compete. We do not want to see it eliminated like it was in 1981 when the state was short of revenue, said Brunell. Listen to the podcasts and read more about these issues on AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch.


AWB Executive Committee meets on Dec. 3
AWB’s Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 3 to discuss the state’s revenue shortfall and AWB’s 2009 legislative strategy. The committee will also review the WashACE coordinated work plan for 2009.


Rep. Deb Wallace at AWB’s next Education and Training Committee meeting on Dec. 3
The next meeting of the AWB Education and Training Committee is set for Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Please note this is an earlier start time, and that the location has been changed from Seattle to Olympia. Rep. Deb Wallace, D-Vancouver, chair of the House Higher Education Committee, will share her thoughts on the upcoming session, its challenges for higher education and where she sees opportunities to advance reform proposals. There will also be discussion on the basic education financing proposals and refining strategy for the 2009 legislative session. For more information, contact AWB’s Amber Carter or Donna Steward at (360) 943-1600.


Gregoire administration will unveil climate change legislation on Dec. 11
On Thursday, Dec. 11 from 10:30 a.m.-noon at AWB, the Office of the Governor, Department of Ecology and CTED will present the administration’s climate-change-related legislation and budget requests, including a draft bill on a cap and trade program that will be proposed next session. Members are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.


Report on alternatives to Deca-DBDE now available; comments due Dec. 14
The Department of Ecology/Department of Health report on alternatives to Deca-BDE is now available. Members should submit comments and concerns they may have about the findings by noon on Monday, Dec. 14. For more information, contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.


Managing Leaves of Absence Seminar, SeaTac on Jan. 8
The Family and Medical Leave Act presents more compliance headaches than almost any other law affecting the workplace. It remains an extremely difficult and frustrating law for employers to administer, and it creates several traps that can lead to employer liability. Complying with FMLA just became more complicated: new regulations become effective Jan. 16. Join us for this seminar on Thursday, Jan. 8 as we sort through the confusion and ambiguity, and help you identify what you must do now to manage employee leaves of absence. Click here to register or contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 for more information.


AWB now accepting nominations for Better Workplace Awards
AWB’s Better Workplace Awards honor companies that have gone the extra mile to create a better working environment in the areas of workplace safety, job training, advancement programs and innovative benefit and compensation programs. Have your company recognized for its accomplishments! Click here to download the nomination form. For more information, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.


Manufacturing briefing set for Jan. 15 in Olympia
Join us Thursday, Jan. 15 at AWB for a special briefing on the status of manufacturing in Washington. This is your chance to talk with state legislators about the crucial role manufacturing plays in our economy and the importance of retaining the current manufacturing sales and use tax exemption. Registration is $35 for AWB members and includes lunch. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today by contacting Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.


Register now for AWB’s Legislative Reception and Annual Issues Briefing coming Feb. 11
AWB’s Legislative Reception is coming to the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia on Wednesday, Feb. 11. This event is one of your best opportunities to network with other AWB members, elected officials and agency directors. It’s also a great chance to raise your company’s visibility through a sponsorship. To register or to become a sponsor, click here or contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.


This week’s President’s Perspective: Main Street must drive our economic recovery